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New Hampshire is well-known as a prime area for outdoor sports, especially in the winter, so glitzy nightlife may be the last thing you'd expect in this small state. However, New Hampshire has many nightclubs that offer live music, DJs and bottle service just like its bigger state counterparts. While acoustic and country music are big draws in the "Live Free or Die" state, trendy nightclubs attract crowds in Manchester and other large cities.

Upscale

The upscale Amber Room (theamberroomnightlife.com) in Nashua provides a VIP experience for club-goers. The venue features New Hampshire's longest bar and comfortable, hand-crafted leather booths. A state-of-the-art sound system, video projection screens and stellar lighting design make dancing an all-around sensory experience. Club Nights include Ultra Fridays, with DJs spinning tunes in two rooms and a free glass of champagne for patrons who enter the club early. Sinful Saturdays offers a prize giveaway and sets by New England's most talented DJs. Other club events include bottle service specials, male dance revues and appearances by nationally known DJs. The dress code is trendy, and entry is at the doorman's discretion. The Grand Manchester (grandmanchester.com), in Manchester, New Hampshire's largest city, has a spacious, multi-room club lit with bright neon and plush VIP booths. Open Wednesday through Saturday, Grand features an open mic at its industry rock night and special events like Military Appreciation Night. The dress code is "dress to impress," with no hoodies, sneakers or T-shirts allowed.

Acoustic and Jazz

The two-story Press Room (pressroomnh.com) in Portsmouth offers folk, rhythm and blues, jazz and blues music seven days a week. The club features sandwiches, appetizers and other light fare, with live music during lunch Wednesday through Sunday. A jazz jam and open mic entertains club-goers on Tuesday. Celtic musicians perform downstairs on Saturdays, while blues, jazz or R and B musicians perform upstairs. Downtown Nashua's Studio 99 (studio99nashua.com) features live acoustic music from local and touring artists. Weekly events include blues, bluegrass, reggae and Brasil jams. For a small fee, any musician can join in the action. Audience members can perform during Open Mic, and the club also offers spoken word and karaoke nights. Club 99 doesn't serve alcohol, but it lets patrons bring their own bottle or beer.

Rock Music

The Peddler's Daughter (thepeddlersdaughter.com) has two locations, one in Nashua and the other in Haverhill. This Irish pub has rock and indie bands scheduled every Friday and Saturday night at both venues. The menu features hearty Irish meals like country pot pie and pork bangers along with sandwiches and salads. Order an Irish ale, a Guinness or a glass of wine and enjoy the house band at Haverhill or one of the touring bands at the Nashua venue. The Black Brimmer American Bar and Grill (blackbrimmer.com) in Manchester's historic district, brings the best in local New England music to its stage Tuesday through Saturday nights. Open since 1997, this pub, restaurant and music venue earned the title "Best Urban Nightspot" from New Hampshire Magazine two years in a row. Black Brimmer features DJs, country bands and karaoke nights in addition to rock 'n' roll.

Dance Club

Laconia's Funky Monkey Dance Club and Billiards (thefunkymonkey.net) is open Tuesday through Saturday nights, with karaoke featured Thursday to Sunday. The medium-sized dance floor gets packed on weekends, but you can play pool at one of several tables instead. DJs play tunes while videos project on an LCD screen to keep things lively.

About the Author

Marianne Moro is a copywriter and journalist based in Hollywood. She has been writing professionally since 1999, specializing in home remodeling, interior decorating, pets, travel and holistic health. Moro was a part-time editor and contributing writer for Remodeleze.com, a home remodeling and decorating website, and has also contributed to the Cutting Chair and Entertainment Today.

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